Jin Ji Teochew Braised Duck (金记潮州卤鸭) @ New Upper Changi Road - New Stall In The East

Jin Ji Teochew Braised Duck (金记潮州卤鸭) has come a long way since 1980 at Smith Street Food Centre. It has expanded its business and recently opened a new outlet at New Upper Changi Road, bringing its traditional Teochew braised duck dishes to the East.

Braised Duck Bento Set 4/5

Food has to evolve with time and Jin Ji Teochew Braised Duck is probably the first stall to introduce the Braised Duck Bento Set ($8) in Singapore. The bento set comes with 3 ball-shaped yam rice, braised duck. offals, salted vegetables, cucumber, radish and lava egg. You may called it gimmicky but I think it is smart thinking of re-packaging a traditional dish and giving it a refreshed look. I guess it turned out successful as it got quite a fair bit of attention from the media.

The new stall was slightly more than a week old when I visited for dinner. I could not really fault the yam rice, tender braised duck and the lava egg. However, I thought the offals were not braised long enough, failing to absorb the richness of the braising sauce.

Kway Chap Set 3/5

Besides the bento set, I also ordered the Kway Chap Set ($4) to try. Once again, and you probably can tell from the color, the ingredients do not seen to have braised long enough to absorb the richness of the braising sauce. Th rice sheet was also on the thicker side and the accompanying broth tasted rather bland. This is not the usual standard I know of, probably it needed more time to smooth out the whole operations and quality consistency of the products.

Jin Ji Teochew Braised Duck (金记潮州卤鸭)
Blk 56 New Upper Changi Road
#01-1314
Singapore 461056
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Nearest MRT: Tanah Merah (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 11am - 8pm
Sat-Sun: 10am - 8pm
(Closed on Fri)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanah Merah MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Tanah Merah MRT station (Stop ID 85099). Take bus number 2, 9, 14, 24, 31, 35, and 45. Alight 1 stop later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

Imperial Treasure Fine Teochew Cuisine @ ION Orchard - How Did It Get a Michelin Star?

Together with a group of foodie friends, we met for lunch on a Saturday afternoon at the newly awarded 1 Michelin Star restaurant, Imperial Treasure Fine Teochew Cuisine at ION Orchard in the latest Michelin Guide Singapore 2017

Steamed Teochew Pork Dumpling 3/5

From the dim sum menu, we tried the Steamed Teochew Pork Dumpling ($5.60). What exactly is Teochew siew mai? Apparently it comes with only minced pork and bamboo shoot, without the sweet and crunchy prawn. I have to say it tasted rather pedestrian, so ordinary that someone in our group associated it with those dim sum items we can get at food court.

Pig Stomach Soup 4.5/5

Fish Maw Soup 4/5

For the soup, we tried both the Pig Stomach Soup ($12) and Fish Maw Soup ($15). The pig stomach soup has a good peppery kick to it. I like the fact that it comes with salted vegetables giving it an extra layer of flavour. On the other hand, the fish maw soup was rather different from what I used to have. It comes with minced pork and seaweed. It felt more like having a bowl of bak chor mee soup.

Teochew Braised Platter 3/5

Teochew cuisine is known for the braised items, so we ordered the Teochew Braised Combination ($51). We picked the duck meat, duck tongue, pig ear and pork knuckle to form our platter. While the meats are cooked to a nice tender and enjoyable texture, I though the braising sauce was rather bland and lacked the aroma from the spices such as star anise, cinnamon etc.

Sauteed Small Oyster with Green Onions 3.5/5

The Sauteed Small Oyster with Green Onions ($42) which is recommend by the manager turned out to be quire good and interesting. I have eaten fried egg with shark fin wrapped in cabbage but the sauteed small oyster with green onions is new to me.

Pan Fried Flour Omelette with Taro 4/5

Usually I will ordered oyster omelette whenever I visit a Teochew restaurant. However I noticed something interesting on the menu which I have not tried before, Pan Fried Flour Omelette with Taro ($33). The crispy omelette comes with chunky taro cubes which was very fragrant. Have it together with the accompanying fish sauce for a lift in enjoyment.

Steamed Promfret  4.2/5

The Steamed Promfret ($132) is another classic Teochew dish which I always order. Unlike other steamed fishes, promfret does not come cheap. Putting the price aside, the timing in steaming the promfret is spot on with the nature jus of the ingredients flavouring the soft and moist promfret's flesh.

Cai Po Hor Fun 3.5/5

The Cai Po Hor Fun ($27) was decent but not wow. I have had better one elsewhere. It would be nicer if they have used the stem of the kai lan, diced it to get the rice noodle an extra crunch bite.

Three Treasure 3/5

I would advice skipping the dessert. The portion was really small and expensive. The Three Treasure ($6) I had comes with a sweet potato cube, yam cube and some ginkgo nuts. For the price, I probably can get a bag of sweet potato and yam.

After lunching at Imperial Treasure Fine Teochew Cuisine, we left the restaurant rather puzzled and confused with one thought in our mind. How did the restaurant get a Michelin Star this year?


Imperial Treasure Fine Teochew Cuisine
ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
#03-05
Singapore 238801
Tel: +65 67362118
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Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1130am - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm
Sat: 11am - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm
Sun: 1030am - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 mins. [Map]

Heng Gi Goose And Duck Rice @ Tekka Food Centre - Long Queue For Their Teochew Braised Duck Rice

A visit to Tekka Food Centre you will probably spot the long queue at Heng Gi Goose And Duck Rice. From what I gathered from my friend, the stall is currently run by the disciple of the original stall owner who has over 60 years of braising duck. The disciple has mastered the braising skill from his master. It can be seen from the long queue at the stall. By the way, the stall does not sell goose anymore.

Duck Rice 4.2/5

I had the Duck Rice for one person and it costs $3.50. It comes with a bowl of white rice drizzled with the braising sauce, a plate of duck meat and a bowl of soup.

I think what stood out about the duck rice here is the braising sauce. It is not overly salty but instead has a rustic characteristic that is well balanced and flavourful. It is best appreciated with a bowl of white rice. In fact, I think I can finish a bowl of rice with just the sauce.

The duck meat itself is also well braised, light but yet flavourful. More important the meat was not too fat and yet tender.

Although the stall official closing time is 230pm, most of the time they are sold out before that. To avoid disappointment, do go early if you want to eat their duck rice.


Heng Gi Goose And Duck Rice
Tekka Food Centre
665 Buffalo Road
#01-335
Singapore 210665
Nearest MRT: Little India (DT Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 630am - 230pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Little India MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Jalan Kukoh Teochew Kueh @ Jalan Kukoh Food Centre - A Hidden Gem Selling Handmade Teochew Kuehs

Sometimes the road less taken may lead to new discovery. Just like my recent visit to to Jalan Kukoh Food Centre that leads to the discovery of a hidden gem selling traditional Teochew kuehs. To be frank, we don't even know there is a hawker centre in the quiet estate. A long queue was spotted at Jalan Kukoh Teochew Kueh when I was there which aroused my curiosity to try their Teochew handmande kuehs.

Jalan Kukoh Teochew Kueh which took up two stall spaces at the food centre, freshly handmade their Teochew kuehs at the stall. It offers five items on the menu such as Ang Tho Kueh, Tow Sar Kueh, Soon Kueh, Koo Chai Kueh and Round Yam Kueh.

The stall is run by Madam Loh and his brother together. Started from their grandmother who sold kueh in a market in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. When the family migrated to Singapore, their mother continued the business selling kueh in a pushcart along Jalan Kukoh. Since young the siblings have been helping out their mother and hence picking up the skills of making these traditional Teochew kuehs.

Besides the Ang Tho Kueh and Tow Sar Kueh which costs $1.10 each, the rest only costs $1. I was quite lucky to be able to get the Soon Kueh, Koo Chai Kueh and Round Yam Kueh. Most of the customers have pre-ordered and are buying in large quantity. If you are walk in customer, you will have to make do with what is available.

It is hard to pick a favourite from what I have ordered. I know some people do not like the taste of chive but I love it. Packed to the brim, each bite into the Koo Chai Kueh comes with that earthy aroma accentuated by the dried shrimps. The Soon Kueh was also plump, juicy and flavourful. Not to be missed is the Round Yam Kueh. This is the first time I had it. The stuffing is quite similar to Ang Tho Kueh or more commonly know as Peng Kueh except that aromatic fried yam is added to elevate the flavour even more.

Jalan Kukoh Teochew Kueh
Jalan Kukoh Food Centre
Blk 1 Jalan Kukoh
#01-19/20
Singapore 161001
Tel: +65 98380235
Nearest MRT: Chinatown (DT Line, NE Line), Outram Park (EW Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue: 3pm - 7pm
Wed-Sat: 7am - 9am, 3pm - 7pm
(Closed on Sun and Mon)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop at Upper Cross Street (Stop ID 06171), opposite Subordinate Court. Take bus number 51 or 186. Alight 1 stop later. Take the stairs and walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Outram Park MRT station. Take Exit A. Cross the road and walk to bus stop opposite Outram Park MRT station (Stop ID 06011). Take bus number 174. Alight 1 stop later. Walk down Chin Swee Road. Turn left onto Jalan Kukoh. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Di Wei Teo Chew Restaurant @ Food Canopy Singapore Botanic Gardens - Food Court In A Garden

My curiosity brought me to Singapore Botanic Gardens but it is not to admire the scenic beauty of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. I heard that there is a food court at the park. The food court is run by Food Canopy and there are 7 stalls in it.

What caught my attention is Di Wei Teo Chew Restaurant. I am surprise to find a stall selling Teochew cuisine in a food court. According to the information online, the restaurant is helmed by Head Chef Chew which has 30 years of experience servicing classic favourites prepared using time honoured recipes that has been handed down through generations.

Cai Po Kway Teow 3.8/5

After browsing through the 43 items on the menu, I decided to order some staple Teochew food items. We started with the Cai Po Kway Teow ($7 for 2 pax). I have tried the dish before but the chye poh or Chinese dried radish are usually not noticeable. The rendition here comes with crunchy chye poh that is cut into short strips which is well infused with the wok hei smokiness.

Braised Duck 4/5

Sliced to generous thin slices, the Braised Duck ($10 small) was tender and well infused with the fragrant braising sauce. It is not overly sweet and comes with a subtle aroma of the spices. Dip the duck meat with the accompanying sweet and tangy dipping sauce for an elevated enjoyment of the duck meat.

Cold Crab 4.2/5

I thought we can only eat Cold Crab (seasonal price) in restaurant but I am surprise to be able to have it in a food court. I paid around $24 for quite a reasonable size crab which was sweet and meaty with a lot of roes.


Di Wei Teo Chew Restaurant 
Food Canopy
1J Cluny Road
Singapore 259607
Tel: +65 67636578
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Botanic Gardens (CC Line, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 1030am - 9pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Botanic Gardens MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn right onto Bukit Timah Road. Walk down Bukit Timah Road to Evans Road. Turn right onto Evans Road. Walk down Evan Roads. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Paradise Teochew Restaurant @ Scotts Square - Bringing Classic Teochew Cuisine To Orchard Road

With the success of the first Teochew restaurant at Chinese Swimming Club by Paradise Group, the group has opened its second Paradise Teochew Restaurant bringing the classic Teochew cuisine to the bustling Orchard Road.

The hospitality at Paradise Teochew Restaurant already won me over with their complimentary kungfu tea that is served pre and post dinner. I thought that is a very nice touch.

Teochew Crabmeat Roll 3.5/5

The Teochew Crabmeat Roll ($22) is a new dish exclusive for the Scotts Square branch. A mixture of crabmeat and prawn paste is wrapped in beancurd skin and deep fried to a decadent bite.

Chilled Yellow Roe Crab in Teochew Style 4/5

A beloved Teochew dish is the Chilled Yellow Roe Crab in Teochew Style ($8/9 per 100g). Unfortunately the cold crab I had did not really have the yellow roe which is the essence of the dish. If not, it would have been heavenly. Nevertheless, the chilled crab's meat is firm and sweet.

Braised Sliced Duck 4.5/5

A bite of the Braised Sliced Duck ($18 per portion, $32 half duck, $60 whole duck), I could tell the different in the braising sauce which has a robust depth to it, comprising over 10 different ingredients. The texture of the duck is also more tender compared to the rest as the restaurant uses the Irish fat duck or also known as the wagyu of fat.

Braised Crispy Sea Cucumber in Abalone Sauce 4/5

A modern take of the tradition dish is the Braised Crispy Sea Cucumber in Abalone Sauce ($16.80 per pax). The sea cucumber is first braised and then coated with egg and flour. After that it is pan fried before serving it in an abalone sauce. It give the succulent sea cucumber an extra coat of texture which is rather unique. I could not really put a word to it but it is really enjoyable.

Pan Fried Oyster Omelette in Teochew Style 3.5/5

The Pan Fried Oyster Omelette in Teochew Style ($16) looks rather medicore until you cut into it to reveal the generous amount of oysters instead. The version here is more starchy some what like our orh luah which I did not quite enjoy. I prefer those without the starch, just the egg and oysters.

Pan Fried and Braised Marble Goby 3/5

We were introduced to the Pan Fried and Braised Marble Goby (seasonal price). The marble goby is pan fried then braised in a superior broth made of bean sauce and radish. The lightly seasoned execution allows the natural flavour of the fish to come through while not overpowering it. Given a choice,  I still prefer the traditional Teochew method of steaming the fish with salted vegetables.

Stir Fried Hor Fun with Kai Lan and Preserved Turnip 3/5

I was actually looking forward in the Stir Fried Hor Fun with Kai Lan and Preserved Turnip ($14/$21/$28) but it did not managed to excite my taste buds. The kai lan seems to be more prominent than the preserved turnip. I have tried better ones elsewhere.  Maybe that is why I find the rice noodle not as good.

Crispy, Sweet and Sour Noodles in Teochew Style 4/5

An interesting dish on the menu is the Crispy, Sweet and Sour Noodles in Teochew Style ($14/$21/$28). The noodles is specially imported from Hong Kong. It is pan fried to a exterior crispiness while retaining a chew bite inside. It is best eaten with a dash of the sugar and vinegar.

Tau Suan with Gingko 2.8/5

Mashed Yam with Pumpkin 3/5

For desserts, we tried the Tau Suan with Gingko ($4 per portion) and Mashed Yam with Pumpkin ($4.50 per portion). I felt that the tau suan was rather lacklustre. The mashed yam with pumpkin fares much better for a light and smooth consistency.

Steamed Custard Bun in Piggy Shape 4.2/5

Besides the spread of delectable Teochew dishes, dim sum is also available at Paradise Teochew Restaurant during lunch. How could anyone resist these Steamed Custard Bun in Piggy Shape ($5.80 for 3pc). The custard is not those molten lava type. Its milky and subtle flavour goes well with the soft and fluffy steamed bun.

Steamed Glutinous Rice Roll in Teochew Style 4.8/5

A must try from the dim sum menu is the Steamed Glutinous Rice Roll in Teochew Style ($4.80 for 3pc). This is a twist to the Teochew png kueh. The glutinous rice is stuffed inside soft and pillowy steamed bun instead. I am really excited to come across this version of png kueh. This version is much better than the traditional Teochew png kueh.

Wrapping up the dinner, we were served another round of complimentary tea to wash down the greasiness and cleanse the palate. There are not many Teochew restaurants in Singapore, I am glad another way has opened in Singapore offering classic Teochew cuisine as well as modern renditions to both the locals and foreigners.

Paradise Teochew Restaurant 
Scotts Square
6 Scotts Road
#03-04/05/06/07
Singapore 228209
Tel: +65 65380644
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard MRT (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1130am - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm
Sat-Sun & PH: 1030am - 330pm, 6pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Scotts Road and walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]